Welcome to my telling of the Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition, set in Keith Baker'sEberron. This is a highly cinematic, character driven, pulpy post-war story in an Eldritch-powered world with complex motivations and morals. Our Facebook page is HERE, come check us out!
Please keep all dialogue and description separate from ooc. I would prefer all ooc comments or dice rolls to be hidden by a spoiler, so that the story reads uninterrupted, if possible.
Also, if any viewers feel the need to comment, please, I welcome that...but keep it in the discussion thread, so as not to interrupt the story. Thank you!
You sit under an overhang of tightly wrapped brier, your hands resting on your knees, your eyes closed, your breathing slow. The wind caresses you with memories.
You see the land before you, your homeland of the Talenta Plains. The landscape is made of lines, like clay drawings on the caves of your mothers, near Wayambeh. They move, as if your perspective is changing, or as if each line, all different colors, lengths and following different paths of the contours of the land, are writhing snakes.
The land breaths. The story speaks. You walk in your dream.
You sit at the fire, smoke curling up to the Wandjina, the gods of the dream in the sky, when your Lath speaks up. You do not know his name, but he sits next to you, and as is his calling as Lath, he tells you where you must go.
"Ku poca oochel. Kex maan ts'u'uy u lúubul le k'iino', ma' wilik tak ka kaxáant u baatsil dinosaurios. Ku kaxtiko'ob le curiosos Deinonychus. Ku bisik jump'éel capa elegante, ba'ale' bona'an u pinturas k'ab ma' u jela'anil in k kaajo'ob. K'a'ana'an wáantik ti' kaxtik u chíikbesik recuerdos tu jaanta' u che'o', wa tu K'astal tuláakal le memorias. Le esqueleto herido ti' le Gorgosaurus, sa'atal u furia yóok'ol kaab, ba'ale' ma' jach u lu'umil. Huye le verdadero t'aano'-rex ka teme. K'a'ana'an u ts'o'oks u caza. Le nak óol u yilik Triceritops, u óoxp'éel bak ku brilla intensamente brillante ti' le sáasilo' u tuukule', superior ti' tuláakal le banda Guatemala mina'an u yotocho'ob u k k'ajláay hablada. Wa'alakbal tu yiknal láak'o'ob bey leti'e', ku mixba'al bey leti'. Teche' k'a'ana'an náay yéetel leti'. Viajan yéetel le Brontomerus, jump'éel ch'uy' kaal u esclavo káachal láayli' mentik kex u kaal. Ma' je'el xook, ba'ale' ku jantik chéen ánaalte'ob. Kex chichan, P'at pistas uts nukuch bey je'el saurópodo. Xook ti' leti'. Por encima de leti'obe', a u leti' jach independiente, u xik'nal le Quetzalcoatlus, yéetel u aguda tuukule', jump'éel leti'obe' silencioso yéetel mortal, ba'ale' temible ken u enfureció. Teche' k'a'ana'an kaxtik Ba'ax k'abéet. A woochel jach u ts'o'ok u biin, chéen ba'ale' wa a unes a woochel yéetel leti'ob, a wayak jump'éel súutul:, bey u familias. Ka ba'ax bixake', ma', repito, ma' -"
With a jolt, there is a pounding knock on the door. You open your eyes to the gloom of the tiny cabin you are in, the same size as the briar. Your hands rest on your knees. The smell of seawater, and wood, of candle tallow and sweat brings you back into your body. You are on board the Demon's dream, a sailing vessel out of Trolanport, now docked in Western Breland, in a town called Sandpoint. You have arrived where your dreams have led you, in search of your family.
"Sir...um...halfling sir? We're here." a young voice quavers uncertainly.
Translation:
"You seek Little shadow. Though the sun falls hard, you will not see her until you find your dinosaur family. Seek the curious Deinonychus. He wears a sleek coat, yet is covered in hand paintings not unlike our peoples. You must help him find his own memories at the roots of his tree, or loose all memories. The wounded skeleton of the Gorgosaurus, looses his anger upon the land, but it is not his land. He flees the true Tyrannosaur, and fears it. You must end their hunt. The fastidious Triceritops, his three horns glowing bright from the light from his mind, greater than all of the Lath's of our spoken history. He stands next to others just like him, that look nothing like him. You must dream with him. They travel with the Brontomerus, a broken slave collar still around his neck. He cannot read, yet eats only books. Though he is small, he leaves tracks as large as any sauropod. Read to him. Above them, believing he is separate, flies the Quetzalcoatlus, with its sharp mind, a silent, and deadly hunter, yet frightful when angered. You must find out what he needs. Your Little shadow is gone, but if you join your Shadow with theirs, your dreams will become as one, as your families. And whatever you do, do not, I repeat, do not -"
OOC:
Watches-Shadow-Behind-You, the halfling language I am basing off Mayan. I couldn't find an aboriginal translator, unfortunately. I would put a link on your page for here, for anything you say in your language to others, and then provide a translation under a spoiler. :)
You've been travelling for days and days. The woods are plentiful, the road is halfway decent paved, the hills and turns, crests and ridges are not too numerous. Walking next to a loaded wagon is not too bad, but you probably could have moved quicker on your own. Daxur's contract with the City of Sandpoint in western Breland to deliver the wagon's supplies and the actress, is the only thing that's kept you guys with it. It lies tucked neatly away in his satchel. You can almost smell the sea. It's getting close.
Up in the wagon rides Ven Vindor and Allishanda. He looks as conservative as you could, with his chin beard, plain shirt and brimmed hat. She looks positively liberal in her silks and scarves and jewelry.
"Do they teach you about the lands when you are created, Mr. Engineer?" she asks Three curiously.
Male Warforged Shaper 1 / AC 11 T11 FF 10; DR 3/- HP 38; PP 14; F+3 R+4 W+3
Spoiler:
38/38 Current HP, 14/14 Current PP
"I was not created with the intention for travel in mind. My original instructions focused on materials Science Center and engineering. Since my emancipation, I have learned some basic geography. I still lack much in the way of first order experience beyond Metrol, Sharn, Cauldron, or the passage between."
Engineer's voice is low, with a pleasant timbre, but somewhat flat and monotone.
Male Warforged Shaper 1 / AC 11 T11 FF 10; DR 3/- HP 38; PP 14; F+3 R+4 W+3
Spoiler:
38/38 Current HP, 14/14 Current PP
"I cannot verify the sanity of the city, but that description matches the place. A large metropolis built into the caldera of a volcano. It held many opportunities for learning and adventure."
Male Goblin Wizard 1 HP:17 /17 AC:16 F+4 R+6 W +5 Perception:+3
"My lady, should you require any travelogue information on the lands we pass, do me the pleasure of requesting it from your's truly. " Daxur offers grandly.
He then fixes Three with a sharp glance, "Many opportunities, my friend? Quite a under-exaggeration, don't you think. " he asks, then turns to Khravos, "That place is a marvel! Certainly no match for glorious Sharn, but very interesting in its own right. In fact, I discovered that the current city is built on the foundations of no less than 14 different civilizations...."
Unless inturrupted, Daxur will continue in this vien for atleast the next hour....;)
"Sharn was built from nothing by a Brelish King over a thousand years ago, into the greatest city in Galifar."Ven interjects. "Every good Brelander knows that."
Daxur:
Daxurknows that that King was King Breggar, a King of the nation of Wroat, 2,388 years ago, or 1,390 years before Galifar.
Male Goblin Wizard 1 HP:17 /17 AC:16 F+4 R+6 W +5 Perception:+3
For a moment, Daxur can only gape at the temerity of the man....to interrupt so!
Then, he shrugs, and says "Propaganda! Is that what they teach schoolchildren in Breland these days? Now then , pay attention, this is an opportunty to expand your brain beyond mere nationalistic drivel. The city of Sharn, like Caudron, was build upon the foundation of others, specifically those foundations built by Breggar, King of the nation of Wroat, ...hmmm.....let me see, 2400 years ago. So , that would make it, " Daxur continues, pantomiming counting figures on his fingertips, "Oh, yes, 1400 years before the founding of Galifar!"
He looks sternly at Ven, daring the man to dispute Daxur's facts.
Male Warforged Shaper 1 / AC 11 T11 FF 10; DR 3/- HP 38; PP 14; F+3 R+4 W+3
Spoiler:
38/38 Current HP, 14/14 Current PP
"Perhaps the appropriate wording should be: a great many opportunities for learning and adventure? There were more than any single group or organization could entertain."
"But why are we here?" Watches-Shadow-Behind-You replies. He still ponders his dream. What could it mean? Spirits are talking, for sure, but what they speak eludes him.
The voice on the other side of the door does not answer, but you can here the nervous shuffling of feet. "S...sir? Because we docked, sir halfling - sir."
Allishanda tuts. "Adventure. I hope to never have to suffer through that. I had a cousin who 'adventured'...found himself married to some half-elf who worked for House Lyrander, and shipped off to live in the woods in the Reaches. Positively nightmarish."
Male Kalashtar Psychic Warrior (Pathwalker)/1 HP: 30/30 RHP: 5/30 Power Points: 4/5
Khravos, walking beside the wagon, asks the actress, "Is this not an adventure? We travel forward, unsure what the next bend may conceal. This road or another, all the expanse ahead conceals adventure. Your cousin only traveled a different road."
"Mr., uh...Vortensis,"Ven clears his throat, shifting his disapproving gaze from Allishanda and Daxur to Khravos, "it'd suit me fine if you didn't put any bad omens upon us. We are delivering this wagon to Sandpoint, for a sum that is far too modest, I may add. We do not need to be fools looking to get riches for no work. We need only to work, and our way in this world is protected."
Male Warforged Shaper 1 / AC 11 T11 FF 10; DR 3/- HP 38; PP 14; F+3 R+4 W+3
Spoiler:
38/38 Current HP, 14/14 Current PP
"I do not believe omens and portents work in such a fashion as you describe. We're I'll fortune predicted to befall our travels, it would have been seen or not before this juncture in time. The observation of an event does not modify said event at this level of existence."
Engineer continues walking alongside the cart as he speaks.
Male Goblin Wizard 1 HP:17 /17 AC:16 F+4 R+6 W +5 Perception:+3
Daxur sits back, more than a little put out that Ven didn't jump for the chance to debate him on the origins of Brelish's cherished institutions.
As the conversation turns to the metaphysical nature of the choices sentient beings make in the world, he joins in, holding up a finger as he makes his point , "Ah, my fine metal friend, that may be, but Torias said in Inquiries of the Mind postulates that it is the obvservation itself that determines the outcome of a certain nexus of decisions. However, Illimister states in Thoughts on Existence that we are mere witnesses, our choices already determined from the beginning of time. What is the answer? Who knows!" he finished, happy to have the opportunity to contribute to the educatation of his obviously less learned associates.
The door opens, revealing a young boy, perhaps ten, his blond hair tousled, and barely covering his ears, just slightly pointed. "S...sir. We've docked, and the Cap'n says you can disembark." He beets a quick retreat away, leaving you alone below-decks.
You make your way through the tight hall at the aft of the ship where your bunk was, into the cargo area, stepping nimbly over buckets, more ropes than you knew existed, barrels smelling of pitch and powder, spices and hides. Another young half-elf with dark hair, a little older than the first, passes you in a hurry without meeting your gaze, perhaps on to some unknown duty.
As you climb the ladder to the orlop deck, you see a slightly heavier young lady standing to the side, under a billowing cloak pulled tight around her. She looks at you with a look you've come to recognize, and turns away as you climb the next ladder to the weather deck, and then into the sunshine.
Some of the crew bustles about, while the second mate barks orders. The Bos'n is piping side, with others of the deck crew assembled, as the Captain departs the ship. You see cranes moving the heavier cargo off the ship, and onto the docks, which bustle with dozens and dozens of people. Sandpoint rises up the hill away from the docks, and is crested by what appears to be a large church. The smell of salt, the breeze on your cheek are unfamiliar, but still appreciated after the weeks at sea.
Ven spits off the side of the wagon, thankfully nowhere near where Daxur is walking. "That sounds like some Aundairan propaganda there. Observation of outcomes, and the Ill mister's predetermination. Bah. We take responsibility for our actions in this country, and reap the obvious rewards. Hard work. Industry. Community. None of that northern nonsense will do you any mind."
Allishanda looks him over disapprovingly as he spits off the other side of the wagon from her, pulling out a silk handkerchief to cover her nose delicately. "I think the idea that we are destined to greatness, and we only need accept it is lovely, master goblin. You must do your country of Darguun proud."
The two of you walk along the docks of Sandpoint, overseeing security as shipments come into the city. The Demon's dream, a recently docked ship, is busy unloading it's cargo, huge cranes and jibs swinging out over the water, moving crates and barrels onto the docks.
A whistle breaks the tumult on the docks, as figures depart the barque, it's sails on the three masts tied up. A 1st mate from another ship signs some documents for the city on a barrel, and hands them to Satinder. "There y'are. I'll let my Captain know." With a nod towards the two of you, he disappears into the crowd.
Watches-Shadow-Behind-You heads down the gangplank. Air comes to him alive with smells of fish and people of all kinds. Confident he will know if Shadow finds anything, he walks along the docks, looking for other halflings.
There could be workers or watchmen of this tribe that may have seen his son and granddaughter. He can ask them.
Perception:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
He spies Shadow darting in and out among rooftops, doing his own investigation.
Male Kalashtar Psychic Warrior (Pathwalker)/1 HP: 30/30 RHP: 5/30 Power Points: 4/5
Taking care to step over the glob of spit Ven left in the road, Khravos says, "Of course, that means that those destined to obscurity must accept that as well."
Male Kalashtar Psychic Warrior (Pathwalker)/1 HP: 30/30 RHP: 5/30 Power Points: 4/5
Responding thoughtfully, Khravos explains, "Oh, I was just carrying that thought forward to its implications. If one must accept being..." Looking up, Khravos sees the icy glare in the actress's eyes. "Er... was that poorly said?" Meekly, Khravos returns his gaze to the horizon.
Male Warforged Shaper 1 / AC 11 T11 FF 10; DR 3/- HP 38; PP 14; F+3 R+4 W+3
Spoiler:
38/38 Current HP, 14/14 Current PP
"You spoke correctly, Khravos Vortensis. Given the nature of a foregone prediction, one's position of recognition must needs be set and outside the control of the observed actor."
The Captain and several others walk down the gangplank of the Demon's Dream, shake hands at the dock, and then break up, heading in different directions. Several other passengers and sailors depart the ship as well. An imposing man, dressed in black leathers, his head shaved, stands imperiously, unseen by Satinder or Garrick. However, his eyes narrow, and his lips purse as he watches them walk across the docks. He pulls on a set of black leather gloves, flexing his fingers in them.
Watches-Shadow-Behind-You:
People disembark the ship, and you join the flow coming down the gangplank. The docks are a bustle of activity, although nothing compared to the din of the larger cities you've been to. Ahead, the Captain of the Demon's Dream shakes hands with several people, and the crowd breaks up. A dark, imperious man in black gazes off down the docks as he puts on a pair of gloves, as a jib eighteen feet overhead moves dozens of crates off the ship and onto the dock.
A shout suddenly goes up. "Hey! Stop! Thief!" A young blond boy, perhaps ten, sprints away from a yelling sailor on the far side of the docks from you. With a snap and a creak, the palate carrying hundreds of pounds of barrels and crates on the jib fall, directly over the man in front of you!
Watches-Shadow-Behind-You ooc:
The Man in black stands ten feet in front of you, and will be crushed by the boat unless you push him out of the way. What do you do?
Garrick:
You share a chuckle with Satinder, and move on down the dock, when suddenly you see a little blond boy, perhaps ten, pick pocket the sailor working a jib on the dock, it's enormous cargo balanced eighteen feet overhead. The boy grabs the sailors' purse and runs. "Hey! Stop! Thief!" the sailor yells, giving pursuit. You quickly smack Satinder's arm, pointing out the boy.
Garrick ooc:
The boy is 40 feet away. You DO NOT see the man watching you.
Satinder:
You share a chuckle with Garrick, and move on down the dock, when he suddenly points out a little blond boy, perhaps ten, pick pocketing the sailor running a jib on the dock. The boy sprints away, as the sailor yells, "Hey! Stop! Thief" But right before you give pursuit, you watch the sailor chase after the boy, abandoning his jib, and you see a hand reaching up to the release switch on the jib, and pull it. At the last moment, you think you recognize the face belonging to the hand: Tsuto Kaijitsu, your young half-elf friend.
Satinder ooc:
What do you do? You DO NOT see the man watching you.
Allishanda looks about to tear into Khravos, but her words are swallowed by a scream! "Goblins!"
In the distance ahead of you, coming over a small hillock through the trees, are dozens of goblins, waving torches and oddly shaped blades. They approach the wagon quickly, but cautiously. An enormous goblin with three arms rides a pony in the midst of them, a regular sized long-sword across his pommel.
"Dammit!"Ven reins in his horse, stopping the wagon. "Vortensis! Defend the shipment!"
"Run!"Allishanda hops off her wagon bench, and lifting her shawls about her, runs the opposite direction of the goblins. "Warforged, protect me!"
Daxur, Khravos and Engineer #3 ooc:
Daxur, your mission (should you choose to...wait...you already did accept it), is first to deliver Ven and Allishanda alive back to Sandpoint. The goods carried on the wagon should be delivered whole, if possible, but if not, they can be abandoned.
I will give you one warning: It is totally okay to flee some encounters. It is also okay to go after them. But I will try to drop hints if you are not "intended" to necessarily fight in a battle, or at least not fight everything. :) Good luck!
All three of you may act at any time, as it is currently the party's initiative. (I do group initiative's for pbp.)
There was an imposing man mentioned in the opening blurb for all three of you. I re-iterated that you don't see him, so there was no confusion and need of ret-conning in case it was misread. :)
Please remember to put your actions behind spoilers for those present in your current groups. Satinder, Watches-Shadow-Behind-You and Garrick are in one spoiler, and Daxur, Engineer #3 and Khravos are in another. :) Thanks guys!
A yell goes up behind Satinder and Garrick. Turning away from the boy and the sailor, they see a tribal halfling push a man in black out of the way on the dock just in time, as the jib the sailor was operating fails. The palate full of crates, barrels, and hundreds of pounds of other goods slams into the dock.
People scream as wood and metal goes flying. The dock underneath it cracks, and part of it actually snaps off. The smaller cog that happened to be docked next to where the cargo landed takes a good hit as well, and lists down severely for a few moments. Then, as the cog re-balances, it throws the goods that landed on it off, and rocks back hard, its' masts and ropes tangling with others around the dock. Tons of debris splashes into the water, and dust fills the air.
A hue and cry go up, and the buzz of the dock becomes a roar as people rush in.
The man in black springs up, his back to Satinder and Garrick, and drags the halfling to his feet. He backhands the older tribal man, sending him sprawling to the dock.
Garrick:
You recognize the halfling as Watches-Shadow-Behind-You, a friend you made while deployed in the Talenta Planes.
Watches-Shadow-Behind-You:
You tackle the man, just avoiding a foul end. The force behind you rocks your world, and it feels as if a sauropod is stampeding around you, attempting to crush you beneath it's feet. You look up through the dust and chaos, and there, in the distance, you see your grand-daughter. She is up the hill a ways, staring back down at your location. And then someone darts in front of you, and she is gone.
Before you can get up, the man in black is on his feet, and drags you to yours. He backhands you across the face, sending you to your knees.
"Так что это, где вы бежали в, старший лейтенант Крааль. Попа конец континента. The man stares intently at Garrick, speaking in the Karrnathi tongue.
Garrick:
Garrick you recognize the man from your days in the Karrnathi Royal Army. His name is Captain Jarek Prath, and he was the Regimental S-2 (Intelligence Officer) for the 13th Special Infantry Regiment (The Regiment you belonged to). You served below him in the chain of command as a 1st Lieutenant Battalion S-3 (Operations Officer), and you both were under your father, Colonel ir'Krall, Field Commander over the 13th Regiment.
Remember, you recognize Watches-Shadow-Behind-You, so seeing him here should be very strange, and seeing him hit should be upsetting. :)
Also, you need to add Karrnathi as a language. You grew up there, and speak it. And if you can write out the names on the spoilers that might be better. I don't want someone to miss a spoiler meant for them because they didn't see their name. :)
Garrick translation:
"So this is where you fled to, First Lieutenant Kraal. The ass end of the continent."
He very specifically does not add the "ir'" in front of your last name. You sense he is doing it to deny you the respect of the moniker.
yeah i did that post on my phone so i abbreviated as best i could. I find the Wayfinder app to be less than ideal, and the large amount of added formatting (requiring annoying-to-type brackets) is somewhat prohibitive when posting from mobile. Not to mention spelling nonstandard words, like fantasy character names, correctly. I will probably push all posting until i get home, in that case.
Regarding languages, yes I will add it. I didn't put it on there because i didn't have the eberron thing activated on the character (forgot to) and also because as far as i was aware, the big 5 of the five nations did not have actual separate languages, only accents.
i am familiar with the staff breakdown you are using (military myself, though we combine 3 and 7), so if you don't feel like explaining it all you can omit it in the future, provided you are using the same one. Although, a 1stLt wouldn't be the S-3 at a battalion (at least not the OPSO, and the S-3 wouldn't be in the chain of command, strictly speaking, under the S-2. They're normally separate chains that "link up" at the XO level, that is, they all report to the XO and the XO to the CO. Also, except in all but the strangest circumstances, a family member would not be placed under the command of another family member (for fear that the junior would receive special treatment). But hey, this is fantasy, haha
Garrick, Satinder and Watches-Shadow-Behind-You:
"Конец задницы, а? Я понимаю что Вы здесь, чтобы посетить семью, тогда, Jarek?"
translation:
"Ass end? I understand that you here to visit your family, then, eh Jarek?"
he would know the complete omission of titles would be on purpose, as much to return his barb as to remind him that I am no longer on active duty.
That's brilliant. I actually forgot you were current military. And I'm basing it more off of reading I have done from active military during wartime situations...with promotions and filling positions when others are killed. Not accurate, obviously, but...I try. :) What is the "combine 3 and 7?"
Garrick, Satinder and Watches-Shadow-Behind-You:
The Man in black's face contorts, obviously annoyed. "Так же, как ваш отец." He spits on the ground, completely ignoring the yells for assistance going up from the crowd trying to deal with the accident. "Да, я здесь, чтобы почтить память моего покойного жены. Вместо этого я подошел грунтовой рта и дезертира."
Garrick translation:
"Just like your father."Jarek spits on the ground, completely ignoring the yells for assistance going up from the crowd trying to deal with the accident. "Yes, I am here to pay respects to my late wife. Instead, I am accosted by a dirt mouth and a deserter."
Satinder, momentarily frozen by the shock of the accident, shakes himself into action. He hurries past Garrick, who seems to be handling the man in black well enough, and steps up to the elderly halfling.
"Sir! Are you hurt?" He notes the halfling's already-swelling cheek and winces.
Male Goblin Wizard 1 HP:17 /17 AC:16 F+4 R+6 W +5 Perception:+3
The wagon ride:
Grrr, posted last night...checked tonite and it was gone! Darn boards.
Daxur leaps up onto the seat next to Ven, raising his hands into the air "Hold! Let us parley! As the metal man says, there is no need for violence. You seem a strong and wise leader, lead your men not to bloodshed, but to profit!"
just as 1 is admin and 2 is intel and 3 is ops, on down the line comes 7 (training) though we just throw training under ops (combining 3 and 7). Sometimes we even combine 4 and 8 because, hey, when you don't have enough people to do both jobs, you give the people you have twice as many jobs.this explains it a little better
Garrick, Satinder and Watches-Shadow-Behind-You:
"избивая маленькие? Ваша мертвая жена, должно быть, была классной леди" Garrick replies with a grin, not addressing the baseless accusations.
translations:
"By beating up the small one? Your wife must have been a very classy lady."
The large three-armed goblin rides up on his pony. The goblins - there must be two dozen of them easily - fan out around the party. They chitter and laugh, waving their blades and torches. The horse drawing your carriage whinnies nervously, trying to back away.
One of the goblins breaks rank, and runs in from the side at Khravos, screaming, his flimsy blade held high. Khravos raises his scizore, catching the goblins blade on it. He steps behind the goblins feet, plants his hand on the goblins throat, and then trips the little creature, sending it sprawling into the dirt.
The crowd of goblins erupts in excitement, laughing and screaming. One throws itself on the ground, obviously mimicking the prone one in front of Khravos.
"Skildu. Ég ætti ekki að láta þá drepa þig, en ég geri það. Skildu." The large goblin points his blade behind him, in the directions of Sandpoint.
Daxur and Engineer #3 translation:
"Leave. I should not let them kill you, but I will. Leave."
Crunch:
Goblin minionattacks Khravos:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 vs. KhravosTrip:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14, using the scizore for defense.
Khravos:
That was NOT your attack. That was your Defense. Let me walk you through it really quick:
When the goblin attacks you, you get to REACT, by choosing a maneuver, or a few other actions (listed on the campaign info page). He rolls 1d20. You respond by rolling 1d20. If he LOSES, his attack is deflected, and you get the maneuver. (As we saw in this situation). If he BEATS you, then he hits normal, and you lose 1 Attack of Opportunity for the round.
This makes ACTIVE DEFENSE more RE-Active, and makes all those feats (Improved Bull Rush, etc.) worth taking. This does NOT provoke an AoO. You may REACT with a maneuver up to the number of AoO you have in a round, and they count against that number. (For instance, if you have a DEX of 16, and have the Combat Reflexes Feat, you have 4 AoO per round. If you are attacked five times, the first four allow you to attempt to React with maneuvers. The fifth is simply a roll against your Defense score.
I recognize this is COMPLETELY different from D20 rules, but we are actually going to publish this. :) It makes combat less of stand next to each other swinging till you damage them to death, and more of a complex, reactive, strategic brawl. :)
This all means you still have your action for this round to do. GO!
Male Warforged Shaper 1 / AC 11 T11 FF 10; DR 3/- HP 38; PP 14; F+3 R+4 W+3
Spoiler:
38/38 Current HP, 14/14 Current PP
Spoiler:
Goblin: "I appreciate your generosity and wisdom. If the horde of goblins will move aside, we will be on our way. Thank you, Goblin Leader of Unknown Name."
For a brief moment, the scent of sandalwood incense combined with sweat wafts from Engineer. A thin sheen of ectoplasm forms on his limbs and torso before evaporating in wisps of "smoke".
Crunch:
Manifest Vigor, move to head of the wagon and take horses' bits in hand.
Male Kalashtar Psychic Warrior (Pathwalker)/1 HP: 30/30 RHP: 5/30 Power Points: 4/5
Khravos's action:
The air around Khravos is filled with a low bass hum which builds in seconds to a crescendo, stirring the air around him with an uneasy vibration. It seems the blade of the scizore shivers slightly as the sound fades almost as soon as it began. Khravos then assumes a defensive fighting position with one hand palm-out before him, while keeping the goblin in place. Looking to Daxur, saying "Does that mean they surrender?"
crunch:
activating Metaphysical Weapon (standard), taking up Iron Hand Stance (swift)
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
Good to hear, Edelsmirge! :)
Alright, for the players, please post in here when you have your character sheet up on your Alias page. I have a template for you.
Template:
Name
Gender Race Class Level
Alignment size type (specific type)
Init #; Senses Perception #
DestinyHero
==DEFENSE== AC #, Defense #, Touch #, FF # (#)
HP #(1d8) Reserve Hit points #
0 to -# disabled; -# to -# unconscious Stabilize #%
DR #/armor; SR #
FRW #/#/#
Immunity #
Armor #
This will help me to be able to find information I need quickly, since I will be looking up your characters A LOT, and I'd prefer not to have to say "Now where is it on this sheet." :)
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
Also, I'd like everyone to introduce themselves, so we have an idea of who we are playing with.
:)
My name is Brian, and I live most of the time in Utah, with some time spent in Burbank (LA) California. I'm married to a wife way beyond my pay grade. We have two 9 year-old girls, and a 6 pound dog named Muffin that I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with, lol.
I work in film and television as a producer/directed/writer, and own my own production company. I don't have a big name yet, but I am building towards it. :) I have produced a feature film that has yet to be released, and directed a separate feature that Jack will not mention upon penalty of his character being flattened by a frog from heaven. ;)
I got my introduction to D&D in 1st Edition, and really started playing in 2nd. I've DM'd for most of the intervening years, and have had the opportunity to learn under some of the greatest DM's out there. My DM in LA is quite the legendary DM. You can see him here DMing Vin Diesel.
Part of the reason why I do this is to get better at writing, telling stories, and recognizing when others are telling good stories. :)
I have put up a link to a Patreon account in the campaign description. Please note, this is in no way requisite, but my wife has taught me a little of the 'art of asking', so I figure I'll put it there in case you all feel so inclined. Just for full transparency.
Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you all. Thanks for joining me!
Hello, all! I'm Jack, utah-based as well. I'm a freelance composer/arranger and amateur writer. I started gaming with 3.5 in 2007, and since then one of my hobbies has been collecting roleplaying games and studying narrative systems. I'm an avid reader, and my favorite authors lately are Jim Butcher, Brandon Sanderson, and Patrick Rothfuss. I'm very much looking forward to this game, I think this group is going to have a great dynamic and it's going to make for a great story :)
Hey all, I am tenro and I will be playing Garrick. My name is Lawrence and I am in the military. I don't go into specifics about the military, suffice it to say that my job is very boring and I'm just trying to make it to twenty years so I can retire.
I currently live in San Diego, though in the past ten years I have lived in a handful of other countries and states.
I got my start with DnD ten years ago, when I was a young'un in the barracks. Started with 3.5, then 3.0, then ADnD, then Pathfinder. I have done brief stints with Mutants 'n' Masterminds, Seventh Sea Swashbuckling Adventures, 4e (didn't like it), 5e (love it so far), Exodus, Atomic Highway, Shadowrun 5e (like it so far), Iron Kingdoms, Vampire The Masquerade, Legend of Five Rings, Numenera (loved it), A Song of Ice and Fire, Gamma World, Savage Worlds, Rifts, and probably the odd one or two i am forgetting.
I really went nuts into character optimization back in 3.5, then my ADnD DM taught me not to worry so much about all of that. I spent probably as much time on Pathfinder as I did on 3.5 at this point, and I am just starting 5e and really liking it so far.
Eberron is 100% my favorite setting of all time, I have read all the sourcebooks many times (though mostly in my 3.5 days), Kieth Baker blog posts and also I have read a few trilogies of the novels that are out. Currently working my way through one of them (slowly though, as I don't read books as often as I read current events).
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
Thanks for serving, Lawrence. :)
I'll let Keith know of the Eberron love. He is one of the DM's I've been happy to play under, and we've been friends for...oh, a half dozen years or so.
I really would like some more Eberron novels to come out, or short stories, or something.
Or what would be REALLY nice is for Eberron to get some 5e love. Maybe something crazy has happened and Eberron is very different from how it was portrayed in 3.5...
Mournland expanded, or went away and something different was there...
two of the five big nations allied and everyone else is worried, or one of the wild cards allies with a big nation (like Droaam and Breland, etc)
one of the big villains (Dreaming Dark, Daelkyr, etc) make a comeback and are only beaten with combined might of many nations, which then shatter, or one is severely damaged...
a big upset to the prophecy, like the 13th mark returning, and the other houses are pissed
... or maybe it is all the same Eberron we all know and love, just some newer art in the books and a newer ruleset, some money flows from our pockets to WotC and Kieth Barker's pockets...
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
Alright, just waiting on the 1st level stat blocks with a 25 point build for all characters, and two traits.
Add a spoiler for your background, and another for your description, and once those are done, you may each add one bonus campaign trait. The campaign does not need to be from the Rise of the Runelords traits, but it definitely can be.:)
Also, if you guys could link any relevant information to the appropriate pages on d20pfsrd, or wherever, so I can click on them to look them up easily, that would be SUPER appreciated. If you do link the relevant info (any spells, feats, classes, races, abilities, items, archetypes, etc.), there will be a background feat for free in it for you. :) Yes, I am not above bribery.
I know little about Eberron but what I have read sounds interesting. I have used some of the Eberron races like changelings and warforged in other settings and really enjoyed them. I also played a little of Dungeons & Dragons Online when it first came out. I am on Pacific Time.
Watches-Shadow-Behind-You is a shaman from an indigenous tribe of halflings. He is amused by the ways of the people who live here in the city and makes a living as a healer. He hopes to one day be reunited with his lost son and granddaughter. However, his spirit guide may require him to complete a task first . . .
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
That's true, Chris, lol. On occasion I have been known to jump on the Dragonreel Podcast that can be found here as a special guest speaking about fantasy films. I met Chris here on Paizo, and am still trying to bribe my way onto RuleZero, his other podcast about gaming. Maybe this will finally do it, lol. ;)
Male Warforged Shaper 1 / AC 11 T11 FF 10; DR 3/- HP 38; PP 14; F+3 R+4 W+3
Spoiler:
38/38 Current HP, 14/14 Current PP
Mittean, mostly I believe.
Have to work in a better physical description & move around some of the headings in my profile, but he should be good to go.
New changes: took both Blatant & Oblivious as drawbacks. He is good with machines and being loud, but not so much with the meatbags...er...humans, or sneaking around.
Trait wise, he's Excited, with a Brutal Intellect (maybe someone will finally surrender rather be pummeled to death), and possesses an Indomitable Faith in the Way of the Machine (belief in the sanctity of sapient thought in man, machine, or Outsider)
He's a bit tougher than he was before, but with a lower AC, and will eventually have a LOT of HP & PP
i'll to the link stuff you want, but it'll take me a bit. I will put it in a separate section though, so when we level up i don't have to redo it with the herolab output.
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
That'd be perfect, Tenro. Thanks for doing that, it makes my job super super easier in the long run. I know it's a bit of a bother, but I really appreciate it.
Male Kalashtar Psychic Warrior (Pathwalker)/1 HP: 30/30 RHP: 5/30 Power Points: 4/5
mittean wrote:
Khravos, can you put yours into the template I put up? I noticed it's mostly done.
It's mostly in, just have to mess with a few fiddly bits and make sure I'm not forgetting something. I used Hero Lab (with the Eberron community data pack). It got almost everything, but didn't let me add a racial stat bonus, so I had to force that. Also didn't have the optional favored class bonus, so I have to figure out how it added my PSPs.
I also should spend a little more of that cash. I need a ranged weapon. What are those circular blade boomerangs called?
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
Thanks, Khravos!
Alright, I've been studying your character, looking for some themes we could explore. This is what I've got, tell me what you think:
Khravos:
Khravos is all about control. About Zen. About peace. But he will struggle with anger, rage, and wrath just under the surface. This could be a slow boil, over the course of at least the full first adventure.
Greed sets him off. He grew up in peace and happiness. He grew up with no possessions. His life was simpler. Happier. And yet he comes here to Khorvaire and there is war, greed, corruption, everywhere.
Where he is from, there were no poor, because the community immediately clothed them, fed them, taught them skills and gave them work. The wealthy put lots of money into the community, to provide things that made life wonderful. Khravos would likely vote for Bernie Sanders.
What does he attribute most greed to? Politics? Money? Religion? What is the root he sees that causes most greed?
I think Khravos has nightmares. This, obviously, is not normal for him. I think I will still leave you your "immunity" as it were, but have this story element. This should freak you out, and be a major thing you want to solve and resolve. Perhaps that's why you came to Khorvaire, and eventually to Sharn and Sandpoint?
What are they about, and why? This could be just themes, or something more specific. What is a starting point that they could be?
What could be the moment of Greed he saw growing up that sickened him. That made him loath greedy behavior?
Note: this does not mean he has to believe in poverty = happiness, or in giving up his possessions, or feel guilty if he owns things. Ownership is likely good for him, as it gives a sense of accomplishment, a sense of self worth, and achievement.
I think it would be cool if Khravos and Engineer #3 met in Sharn, and are researching the powers of the mind unlocked in Three. They have traveled to Sandpoint to study with Daxur, perhaps, an expert on the subject matter. Haven't decided yet.
I do have some questions: What is Khravos's perspective on ownership of another being? Both for creatures like goblins, that are living, and creatures that were created by a person for a purpose, like Three?
Who are your characters heroes? Did they love the stories their mum read them as a kid of Matthias the blackhanded, who was redeemed from his wicked ways when he sacrificed himself to save the city of Tellmoradon? Or was Tira Yronforged, the champion of battle of the rails, your favorite hero to read about in the news prints during the Last War?
For you this brings up a question: having not grown up on Khorvaire, but arrived after the war ended, is the war somehow fascinating to you? Tales of bravery, heroism, victories and defeats? Mind you, the reason why you feel people fought the war may sicken you, but the war itself may fascinate you.
What kind of clothing do you wear? And what kind of clothing do you wear when you have to dress up?
What is your personal greatest failure? What is your personal greatest success?
And lastly, What is the sin that your character is the most susceptible to? I'm assuming it's wrath.
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
Khravos:
Alright, you are a wise character, but not an intelligent or charismatic character. I think these means you may not often come to conclusions, or at least come to them quickly. You may ask questions that seem to have an obvious answer, because you haven't reached the conclusion yet.
You are likely a bit awkward around people. Responding clumsily, comforting in a slightly awkward way. You have natural skill with bluff and diplomacy and what not, but I imagine that part comes across a bit Spock-ish. (I actually think the naturally suspicious racial trait may fit your build and themes a little better.)
However, you may instinctively know how they need to be comforted, confronted, etc. It's the difference between saying the things that a person would need from you when they are in turmoil, and doing those things. I often refer to this as the husband gene. We know most of the time what to do to comfort and talk to our wives, but by god we never do that sh!t.
Your character is a telepath. He grew up with a decent amount of silence. How does the noise of the world affect him, especially in Sharn? Does he ever telepath his thoughts to his friends, rather than speak them, because for him there may not be a difference. But for them, it's mildly intrusive, or the rest of the group doesn't know why Garrick just responded to an unspoken question, because they didn't hear it.
I'm thinking Three may dream as well. That's the connection for you. For him it's your psionic powers, for you it's the fact that he dreams as well.
I didnt know there was an Eberron Community pack for HeroLab. Does it use the main PF update?
Honestly, I never intentionally got it, but I found it in the checklist for character creation when I started to make up Khravos. I thought I was going to have to make it all myself. I'm sure I got it when I got the 3PP community pack that had the Dreamscarred stuff in it. Which I can't find here at work, so I'll go looking later.
Khravos is all about control. About Zen. About peace. But he will struggle with anger, rage, and wrath just under the surface. This could be a slow boil, over the course of at least the full first adventure.
reply:
Self-control, yes, and I imagined his struggle being much the same.
mittean wrote:
Spoiler:
I think Khravos has nightmares.
reply:
Interesting. I'll have to think about that one.
mittean wrote:
Spoiler:
What could be the moment of Greed he saw growing up that sickened him. That made him loath greedy behavior?
reply:
I think he never saw it until he left the monastery. It could be a mystery to him, and a trait of human behavior he was unprepared for. I would say that soon after he left the monastery, he was swindled out of a good deal of coin by someone who pretended to be in need. Seeing that he had more than the trickster, he contributed what he had, was wheedled out of more, and found out too late he was being tricked. This has made him suspicious of most of the other people he has met since.
mittean wrote:
Spoiler:
I think it would be cool if Khravos and Engineer #3 met in Sharn, and are researching the powers of the mind unlocked in Three. They have traveled to Sandpoint to study with Daxur, perhaps, an expert on the subject matter. Haven't decided yet.
reply:
Having spent all his life meditating on the meaning of being and belonging, interdependence, independence, and self, Three would absolutely fascinate him.
mittean wrote:
Spoiler:
And lastly, What is the sin that your character is the most susceptible to? I'm assuming it's wrath.
reply:
Absolutely wrath. Since he thought his training complete when he left the monastery, the truth was there was never anything to try his temper then. Since experiencing the breadth of the lands he's traveled, he's found this to be a failing in himself.
Mittean is about town and asked me to post on his behalf on the subject of Flaws, Feats, Drawbacks, and Traits.
We can each take up to two flaws and up to two drawbacks. Each flaw taken also allows you to take a bonus feat that you qualify for, and each drawback taken allows you to take an additional trait. Furthermore, Mittean is lifting the "only one trait per trait category" restriction, with a reminder to focus on flavor at least as much as crunch.
Link to the list of flaws that Mittean would like us to use.
Link to the list of Pathfinder drawbacks.
Link to the list of Pathfinder traits.
He also asked me to get us started linking our characters together and working out why each of us is in Sandpoint.
Satinder is 19, and while he's been away for a few years he is still, for all intents and purposes, a Sandpoint local. He's well-read and well-dressed, and tends to stick out in a town with a mostly uneducated working-class populous. He didn't have many friends even before he went Sharn, and since coming back he's found it even more difficult to fit in.
While Sandpoint is hardly a hotbed of political intrigue, the town's scandals and gossip are as close as he can get to the machinations he enjoyed in Sharn, and so he has taken to tracking the activities of people in town for fun. He's starved for culture and good conversation, and is likely to gravitate towards educated individuals while distancing himself from more "common" people. He's also likely to be envious of anyone of nobility, since he has claimed noble blood himself but has no real way to prove it.
Off the cuff, I can see him being intrigued by Three, Khravos, and Watches-Shadows-Behind-You as cultural oddities.
He's probably baffled by Daxur, as goblins are seen as dangerous in Sandpoint and thugs and thieves in Sharn. He wouldn't know what to do with someone who so blatantly shatters his expectations.
Since Garrick is noble and served in the war, making him at least 10 years Satinder's elder, Satinder will probably subconsciously connect Garrick with his father. This is likely to come across as a rivalry, with Satinder trying to gain Garrick's approval and respect while simultaneously trying to prove to himself that he doesn't need a figure like this.
Satinder also has a mother, Delara, who is in her late 30s, he works for the mayor, and he's friends with the town antiquarian and bookstore owner, Aemon Grahame.
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
Three, Khravos and Daxur:
Let's have you and Daxur and Khravos traveling from Sharn to Sandpoint.
I figure you and Khravos have interest in each other for your burgeoning mental powers. Also, I think it would be interesting if you dreamed for some reason. This would fascinate Khravos, and really tie you two together.
Also, Daxur could be heading to Sandpoint to be the arcane border security liaison for the city. You and Khravos would tag along to see the local festival of dreams.
Daxur:
You just got a job, as said above, and are excited to move there because a friend you made in Sharn, Satinder lives in the city.
Garrick is likely the miltary advisor to the local area, seeing to it that the actual people in charge like the guard captain and militia captain are well-informed, likely they are younger than he is as well.
Anyone with ties to the former, or privy to local governmental council meetings will likely have met Garrick.
Will check the list of traits flaws and drawbacks, but i am pretty sure i picked legitimate ones.
I got the HL 3pp pack and no eberron stuff in there. Luckily this character doesnt need it especially but i have a good handful of eberron characters who could use it, haha.
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
Garrick, you and Satinder know each other, and you are expecting the arrival of Daxur, who will serve as the arcane counterpart to local security with you.
When you served in the Talenta Planes, you stayed for a time in Watches-Shadows-Behind-You's village, and became friends. That may have been a happier, peaceful time for you.
Male Human Film producer 3 Film director 2 Real estate investor 1
Watches-Shadow-Behind-You:
I want to give your character some visions. Most of the time I think they will be ones he seeks after (he wants answers to how to find his granddaughter, performs a ritual, and gets a vision), rather than ones pushed on him (where he is interrupted with a vision about the future. Unless you would prefer one or the other, lol.
It would be cool if we could come up with some "lingo" or "visuals" to describe certain things from his tribal perspective. The great beasts for the Houses, or countries, things like that. Symbolism that he can misinterpret.
I do think when you get to Sandpoint you will get on with Satinder's mum. She was tribal in Western Breland. Not as...rustic...as you, but certainly a kindred spirit.
You became friends with Garrick when he was stationed in your village for a little while. You do not know he is in Sandpoint, I would think, but either works.
Are you racist against goblins? And what are your opinions about Kalashtar, Warforged, psionics and magic, as well as religions?
Are you racist against goblins? And what are your opinions about Kalashtar, Warforged, psionics and magic, as well as religions?
Watches-Shadow-Behind-You does not hate goblins, but he does take them seriously either. He sees them as troublesome and badly in need of moral guidance.
What's a Kalashtar? (He's never encountered them.)
Warforged he regards as spirits that have animated a collection of materials. He sees them not as one being, but several spirits of wood and metal working together to appear and act as one thing.
Psionics are those that talk to the spirits within themselves.
Magic is all around us. The very air is magic. As is the water we drink and the food we eat. We are all magical beings, akin to all around us.
Religions worship gods that are far away. This is tiring and a waste of time. Spirits are all around you and eager to help. Why not talk to them?
